Methods and systems for quickly heating items

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device that heats food quickly by using more than one power level during a heating cycle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for quickly heating items, and more specifically to an apparatus that operates at more than one power level during a heating cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional heating devices operate at one power level during a given heating cycle. To improve heating time, one solution has been to increase the power of the heating device. For example, to improve the heating time in a toaster, attempts have been made to increase the power in a standard two-slice toaster from approximately 850 watts to approximately 1400 watts. To obtain consistent toast color, if the power is increased, the toasting time is decreased. In particular, toast color has been found to be related to the power multiplied by the toasting time. For example, in an 850-watt toaster, a given slice of bread may be toasted to a medium color in approximately 120 seconds. Thus, a medium color would require 102,000 watt-seconds. If the power were raised to 1400 watts, the same slice of bread would require only 73 seconds to obtain a medium color.

[0003] Although high-powered heating devices heat food more quickly, as the heating power is increased, the food has less time to cook properly. Thus, the food tends to sear on the surface, while the inside remains cool and uncooked. This blackened food item is not only unappealing in appearance, but the taste also is affected. Thus, these high-powered heating devices have been found to be unacceptable, and there is a need to increase heating speed without sacrificing appearance and taste.

[0004] Conventional heating devices also run the risk of setting fires due to short circuits. With increased power, conventional heating devices have an increased capacity to ignite food, and the fires set by these heating devices spread much more quickly than the fires set by lower powered heating devices. Thus, there is an increased need for additional safety features in heating devices when higher power is used.

[0005] Crumbs that accumulate in the crumb tray of a toaster also are at risk of burning. Thus, crumb trays need to be cleaned periodically. Unless the user is accustomed to cleaning the crumb tray on a regular basis, a typical user will not clean the tray until the burning crumbs remind the user that the tray needs to be cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] When food is heated (e.g., cooked or warmed), the initial portion of the heating cycle typically is used to warm the heating device cavity and surrounding parts, while the food tends to attain most of its color and crispness in the last ⅓ of the heating cycle. Because the first part of the heating cycle is used to warm the area surrounding the food, methods and systems consistent with the present invention use a high power during the first part of the heating cycle to quickly warm the heating device. As the food begins to brown, the heating device is shifted to a lower power that will allow the food to develop a golden color and avoid the burning that would occur at the high power.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a toaster is provided comprising a heating element and a controller. The heating element has a plurality of power levels. The controller is between the plurality of power levels, and the controller automatically adjusts the power level of the heating element during a toasting cycle.

[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a toaster is provided comprising a plurality of heating elements and a controller. Each heating element has a unique power level. The controller is between the plurality of heating elements, and the controller automatically switches between heating elements during a toasting cycle.

[0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method in a toaster is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving an indication of a toasting cycle period, dividing the toasting cycle period into a plurality of time periods, heating a food item at a first power level during a first of the plurality of time periods, and heating the food item at a second power level during a second of the plurality of time periods.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method in a toaster is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving an indication of a desired toasting level, determining a toasting cycle period from the indication, and toasting a food item at a plurality of power levels during the toasting cycle period.

[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method in a toaster is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving an indication of a toasting cycle period, and heating a food item at a plurality of power levels during the toasting cycle period.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a toaster is provided. The toaster comprises a heating element, a switch, and a timer. The heating element has a high power and a low power. The switch toggles between the high power and the low power, and the timer is coupled to the switch.

[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a toaster is provided. The toaster comprises a heating element, means for adjusting the power level of the heating element, and a timer. The heating element has a plurality of power levels, and the timer is coupled to the adjusting means.

[0014] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0016]FIG. 1 depicts a high-speed toaster in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a circuit used in the high-speed toaster depicted in FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of a circuit used in the high-speed toaster depicted in FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 4 depicts a third embodiment of a circuit used in the high-speed toaster depicted in FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the high-speed toaster depicted in FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the check crumb tray sensor memory step of FIG. 5;

[0022]FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the check crumb tray sensor button step of FIG. 5;

[0023]FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the calculate total toasting time and full/half power time step of FIG. 5; and

[0024]FIG. 9 depicts a circuit to protect a load, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to implementations consistent with the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0026] Although described for use in a toaster, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used in any type of heating device, such as a rice cooker, an oven, etc.

[0027]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a high-speed heating device, illustrated as a toaster 100. Toaster 100 has a housing 102 and includes a heat activation lever 104, a darkness control knob 106, a fast toast button 108, a progression indicator 110, a crumb tray button 112, a crumb tray indicator 114, and a crumb tray 116. Heat activation lever 104 is used to activate toaster 100. Darkness control knob 106 can be adjusted to control the color of the toast. Fast toast button 108 may be activated to set toaster 100 in a high-speed mode. In one embodiment, if fast toast button 108 is activated, toaster 100 is in the high-speed mode for a given percentage (e.g., 67%) of the toasting cycle and shifts to the low-speed mode for the remainder (e.g., 33%) of the toasting cycle. Alternatively, a speed control knob (not shown) or other similar control may be included to alter the percentage of the toasting cycle during which the toaster is in the high-powered mode versus the low-powered mode. In the example shown, if fast toast button 108 is not activated, toaster 100 will not operate in the high-powered mode. Rather, toaster 100 operates as a conventional toaster, toasting bread at a single low power throughout the toasting cycle.

[0028] Progression indicator 110 indicates the status of the toasting cycle. For example, progression indicator 110 is depicted as a row of ten LEDs, each LED representing 10% of the toasting cycle. As a slice of toast progresses through the toasting cycle, the respective LED is activated. Thus, after the bread has progressed through 10% of the toasting cycle, the first LED 110 a is activated. The second LED 110 b is activated after the bread has progressed through 20% of the toasting cycle. The cycle continues until all of the LEDs are activated at the completion of the toasting cycle. Although depicted as a row of LEDs, one skilled in the art will recognize that any indication of the status of the toasting cycle may be used, for example a timer, a dial, etc. In addition, the color of the LED may change to differentiate between high power and low power. For example, the LED may be red when the toaster is operating in the high-powered mode and green when the toaster is operating in the low-powered mode. Thus, if the toaster is in the high-powered mode during ⅗ of the toasting cycle, the first six LEDs will be red while the remaining four LEDs will be green. Alternatively, if the toaster is in the high-powered mode during ⅘ of the toasting cycle, the first eight LEDs will be red while the remaining two LEDs will be green.

[0029] Toaster 100 includes a counter to count the number of times toaster 100 is used before crumb tray 116 on toaster 100 should be cleaned. When the counter reaches a set value (e.g., 20) the crumb tray indicator 114 is activated to alert the user to clean crumb tray 116. Although depicted as a visual indication, crumb tray indicator 114 also may assume other forms, e.g., audible signals such as a bell or other sounds may be used to alert the user to clean crumb tray 116. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the manufacturer and/or user of toaster 100 may adjust the set value. Crumb tray button 112 resets the counter for crumb tray 116. Crumb tray button 112 may also cause crumb tray 116 to open automatically, thus ensuring that crumb tray 116 has been cleaned when crumb tray button 112 is activated. Alternatively, the counter may be reset when toaster 100 detects that crumb tray 116 has been opened.

[0030]FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a circuit 200 for high-speed toaster 100 in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, and FIG. 3 depicts the circuit 100 for the high-speed toaster of FIG. 2 in more detail. In FIGS. 2 and 3, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts.

[0031] Circuit 200 includes a power diode 204 that rectifies the current from the power source 202 to the heating elements 210 of toaster 100. Diode 216 may be one of the FES8JT, FESF8JT, or FESB8JT Series rectifiers manufactured by General Semiconductor. Rectifying the current reduces the power to heating elements 210 by half. Relay 206, 208 toggles between full and half power by selecting unrectified or rectified current, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,974 discloses the use of a diode to reduce power to a toaster heating element, and is incorporated herein by reference. One skilled in the art will recognize that other techniques may be used to reduce the power to the toaster heating element, for example, a switch may be included between high and low resistance heating elements. Alternatively, as one skilled in the art will recognize, a thyristor (not shown) or triac (not shown) could be used to adjust the power level of the heating element. Another embodiment may also include a switch between multiple heating elements to adjust the power level.

[0032] In addition to rectifying current to heating elements 210, diode 204 also provides DC current to power supply 228 for DC operated latching electromagnetic coil 222. If diode 204 fails in an open condition, latching electromagnetic coil 222 will not receive DC power. As a result, toaster 100 will not latch and will fail safe. If diode 204 fails shorted, DC electromagnetic coil 222 receives AC current, which will prevent it from latching. Without latching coil 222, if diode 204 were to short, toaster 100 would continue operating in the high-powered mode during the low-powered portion of the cycle, which could result in overheating. Arranging circuit 200 so that a shorted diode 204 prevents toaster 100 from latching assures that this condition cannot occur. Although depicted with a toaster 100, one with ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this type of safety device can be used with any appliance, regardless of whether the appliance has multiple power levels.

[0033] For example, FIG. 9 depicts a circuit 900 used to protect a load 902. As shown, a DC electromagnetic coil 904 is in parallel with load 902. Switch 906 connects power supply 908 to diode 910.

[0034] When switch 906 is manually activated, power is allowed to flow from power supply 908 to diode 910. When switch 906 is closed, diode 910 is in series between power supply 908 and latching coil 904. Diode 910 is also in series between power supply 908 and load 902 when switch 906 is closed. Diode 910 rectifies the power to both coil 904 and load 902. Electromagnetic coil 904 is coupled to switch 906 so that switch 906 is closed when coil 904 receives DC current from diode 901, i.e., when diode 910 is neither shorted nor open.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 2, circuit 200 also includes a microprocessor or microcontroller 216. One example of microcontroller 216 may be part no. PIC16C73SO manufactured by Microchip Corporation. One skilled in the art will recognize that an analog timer circuit or another equivalent circuit also could be used to achieve the same results as microcontroller 216.

[0036] When a user depresses heat activation lever 104 in FIG. 1, two-pole switch 236 a and 236 b is closed. This provides DC current to latching electromagnetic coil 222 through diode 204, which passed through an additional diode 230 before energizing the power supply 232 to start microcontroller 216. Microcontroller 216 biases transistors 218 and 220, such that current is allowed to flow in electromagnetic coil 222 and hold two-pole switch 236 a and 236 b closed. Although depicted as transistors, one with ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any switch with an element to bias may be used.

[0037] Electromagnetic coil 222 is wound with copper wire. Other materials, such as aluminum, acting as a thermistor may be used for coil 222. As toaster 100 heats, the resistance of this copper wire increases. This causes a voltage 224 on coil 222 to increase. Microcontroller 216 may read analog voltage 224 at coil 222 and use it to calculate a compensation factor to reduce the toasting time for a warm toaster, e.g., for a subsequent toasting cycle. Because toast cooks faster in a hot toaster versus a cool toaster, the compensation factor results in a consistent toast color for each heating cycle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,077 discloses one method of using a compensation factor to account for a warm toaster, and is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 3, microcontroller 216 may read voltage 224 at coil 222 via a resistor divider formed using resistors 340 and 342.

[0038] Microcontroller 216 also reads darkness control knob potentiometer 226 and calculates a toasting time based on the toast color setting of potentiometer 226 and the calculated compensation based on coil voltage 224. Microcontroller 216 determines the total toasting time, then determines the time to switch from high-powered heating elements to 50% power via relay 206, 208 and diode 204. For example, the toasting time at high power may be ⅔ of the total toasting time. One skilled in the art will recognize that any factor can be programmed with microcontroller 216 using a user-settable variable, such as the previously discussed speed control knob (not shown). In another embodiment, toaster 100 could have additional toasting options with specific percentages of time during which toaster 100 is in the high-powered versus the low-powered mode. For example, toaster 100 could have a “Pastry” option (not shown) with a ratio of 20% in the high-powered mode and 80% in the low-powered mode to toast thicker, heavier breads and pastries since these foods typically require longer toasting times at lower wattage.

[0039] Several safety features may be added to circuits 200 and 300 to prevent problems due to component failure. For example, redundant transistors 218 and 220 are connected to output 234 of microcontroller 216 to operate electromagnetic coil 222. When toaster 100 is activated, output 234 of microcontroller 216 is changed to a low impedance state and asserted low. This turns off transistors 218 and 220, allowing current to flow in coil 222, which holds two-pole switch 236 a and 236 b closed. If output 234 from microcontroller 216 is asserted high, then transistors 218 and 220 will turn on, shorting coil 222. This de-energizes electromagnetic coil 222 and shuts off the power to toaster 100. If either transistor 218 or 220 fails shorted, the unit 100 fails safe. If one of the transistors 218 or 220 fails open, the other transistor 220 or 218 continues to operate coil 222. Having two redundant transistors 218 and 220 reduces the chance of one failure causing the coil to stay powered, which would result in excessive heating.

[0040] In addition, redundant transistors 212 and 214 are arranged in a redundant series fashion to increase the reliability of operating relay 206, 208. As with redundant transistors 218 and 220, if one transistor 212 or 214 fails, the other transistor 214 or 212 continues to operate relay 206, 208.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, additional inputs to microcontroller 216 may include fast toast button switch 344 and a corresponding fast toast indicator 346, which indicates when fast toast button 108 has been activated. Also, a crumb tray button switch 348, a corresponding crumb tray indicator 352 and a crumb tray sensor memory 350 may be included. Crumb tray indicator 352 may be green 352 when crumb tray 116 does not need to be cleaned and may turn red 354 when crumb tray 116 needs to be cleaned, as discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-7. Six of the ten LEDs 356 of progression indicator 110 also are shown connected to various outputs of microcontroller 216. One skilled in the art will understand how to connect the specific inputs and outputs to microcontroller 216.

[0042] Although the toasting cycle was discussed in terms of two different power levels for two different time periods of the toasting cycle, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more than two different power levels may be used during a given toasting cycle. For example the power levels may change continuously (e.g., continuously increasing or continuously decreasing) during the toasting cycle.

[0043] The following C language code illustrates the operation of microcontroller 216 employed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention:

[0044]FIG. 4 depicts an analog version of the high-speed toaster control circuit 400. Similar to digital circuits 200 and 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, when the user depresses heat activation lever 104, two-pole switch 406 a and 406 b closes, thus allowing current to flow from the power supply 402 a and 402 b to circuit 400. This also energizes the electronic control and heating elements 410 a and 410 b. Transistor 416 is biased to allow current to flow in electromagnetic coil 418, causing lever 104 to be held down by keeping two-pole switch 406 a and 406 b closed. Transistors 412 and 414 are biased to cause relay 452, 408 to close its normally open contacts. This shorts around diode 404, thus providing full voltage (e.g., 1500 watts) to heating elements 410 a and 410 b.

[0045] Potentiometer 422, resistor 424, and capacitor 426 form RC timer 420. Resistors 428 and 430, which form a resistor divider that is powered by the voltage on coil 418, feed RC timer 420. Potentiometer 432, resistor 434, and capacitor 436 form another RC timer 438. Resistors 440 and 442, which form a resistor divider that is powered by the voltage on coil 418, feed RC timer 438.

[0046] Similar to circuits 200 and 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, coil 418 is wound with copper wire, or some other metal that displays the characteristics of a thermistor, such as aluminum. Thus, as the temperature of the toaster increases, the resistance of this copper wire increases, which causes the voltage on coil 418 to increase, creating a feedback to RC timers 420 and 438. This produces a compensation effect, reducing the toasting time on subsequent toasting cycles.

[0047] RC timer 438 is driven by a voltage approximately 40% higher than RC timer 420. This, combined with the difference in values of resistors 424 and 434 in RC timers 420 and 438, respectively, causes RC timer 438 to time out approximately 33% faster than RC timer 420. Potentiometers 422 and 432 are mechanically linked, so that they turn as a unit to insure that the ratio of times will remain the same regardless of the toast color setting selected by the user.

[0048] RC timer 438 drives relay 452, 408 and RC timer 420 drives electromagnetic coil 418. Thus, relay 452, 408 switches 33% faster than coil 418. When relay 452, 408 switches, diode 404 rectifies the current into heating element 410 a and 410 b, causing it to operate at 50% wattage.

[0049] Transistors 444 and 446 are arranged in an “SCR equivalent” circuit which mimics the latching action of a conventional SCR. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an SCR or a single transistor may also be used. When RC timer 420 turns on transistors 444 and 446, they latch, causing voltage to drop across electromagnetic coil 418. When this voltage drops sufficiently, coil 418 releases toaster carriage 104, opening two-pole switch 406 a and 406 b and shutting off power to the unit.

[0050] Several safety features, similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3, are added to circuit 400 of FIG. 4. These safety features, although not required, prevent problems due to component failure. For example, redundant transistors 412 and 414 operate relay 452, 408. If either of these transistors 412 or 414 were to fail shorted from Collector to Emitter, then the other transistor 414 or 412 would still shut off relay 452, 408. Having two transistors 412 and 414 reduces the chance of one failure causing relay 452, 408 to stay powered, which would result in excessive heating. If transistors 412 and 414 fail open, then the unit fails safe. Transistor 416 is turned on when the toaster is energized, allowing current to flow in coil 418 and is de-energized when SCR equivalent transistors 444 and 446 are turned on. This ensures that electromagnetic coil 418 is de-energized at the proper time, regardless of a failure in either transistor 444 or 446.

[0051]FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram 500 of the steps performed by toaster 100 having microcontroller 216 to toast a piece of bread in accordance with the present invention. Initially, when toaster 100 is activated, the unit determines whether the startup was due to a power-on reset (step 502). If the startup was not due to a power-on reset (e.g., if the startup was due to a voltage fluctuation, brownout, a watchdog reset or other problem), the unit de-energizes latching electromagnetic coil 222 and powers off (step 504). Otherwise, if the startup was due to a power-on reset, toaster 100 initializes microcontroller 216 and various variables (step 506). For example, in the example computer code above, toaster 100 sets the direction of I/O ports and the initial state, sets a watchdog timer, sets the analog input ports, and sets the timer interrupt for 30 interrupts per second. Toaster 100 also initializes the EEPROM module 350, which is external to microcontroller 216 and used to count the number of toaster cycles for the crumb tray sensor, and initializes the FLAGS variable. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any rewritable non-volatile memory can also be used. Additional variables are initialized. For example, “Flashmir,” which is used in illuminating the LEDs in a proper sequence, “Maskflash,” which is used in illuminating the LEDs in a proper sequence, “Secscounter,” which is incremented thirty times per second by a timer interrupt, and “LEDbarincrement,” which is used in illuminating LEDs in proper sequence.

[0052] Next, toaster 100 provides an indication that the toasting cycle has begun (step 508). For example, the toaster may display an LED wakeup pattern, such as creating a flashing startup sequence on the series of LEDs of progression indicator 110. Toaster 100 can then read the coil voltage (step 510). In particular, microcontroller 216 reads the voltage on electromagnetic coil 222 and stores this information. In the example source code, the voltage may vary from 7 to 9 volts, and is converted to a value between approximately 90 to 119 before it is stored in a variable, e.g., “COILREADING.” The coil voltage corresponds to the temperature inside the toaster, as discussed above, and is used to compensate for a warm toaster in calculating toast time.

[0053] The next step performed by toaster 100 is to check crumb tray sensor memory 350 (step 512). Toaster 100 also reads the voltage from color control potentiometer 226 (step 514). In the example source code, the color control potentiometer voltage may range from 0.3 to 3.7 volts, and the corresponding reading, which is stored in variable “POTREADING,” has a corresponding range of approximately 17 to 189. Toaster 100 then checks crumb tray sensor button 112 to determine whether crumb tray 116 has been cleaned (step 516).

[0054] Using the values for coil voltage and color control potentiometer, toaster 100 calculates both the total toasting time and the full/half power time (step 518). Next, unit 100 determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the previously calculated total toast time (step 520). If so, the unit de-energizes the coil and shuts off power to the heating elements (step 504). Otherwise, if the elapsed time is not greater than the total toast time, the toaster determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the previously calculated full power time (step 522). If the elapsed time is not greater than the full power time, the toaster determines whether fast toast button 108 was activated (step 526). If so, toaster 100 calculates an altered toasting time (step 528). Toaster 100 also calculates the LED progress bar and sets the corresponding LED display in progression indicator 110 (step 530). Toaster 100 then returns to step 514 to read the color control potentiometer voltage to determine if any of the settings have changed. If, at step 522, toaster 100 determines that the elapsed time is greater than the full power time, toaster 100 energizes relay 206, 208, allowing the diode 204 to rectify the power to heating elements 210 for half-power mode (step 524). Toaster 100 then continues at step 526 by determining whether fast toast button 108 was activated.

[0055]FIG. 6 depicts the steps performed by toaster 100 when it checks the crumb tray sensor memory 350 in step 512. Microcontroller 216 initially reads a number (e.g., “CRUMBCOUNT”), from the nonvolatile memory, shown in FIG. 3 as external EEPROM memory unit 350 (step 600). This is a nonvolatile memory which stores a count corresponding to the number of times the toaster has been operated since the “Clear” button was activated, as discussed above. Nonvolatile memories retain data even when power is off. The next step performed by microcontroller 216 is to increment CRUMBCOUNT (step 602). Microcontroller 216 then determines whether CRUMBCOUNT is greater than an internal set point (step 604). The set point may be any number, e.g., 20. The manufacturer and/or user also may designate the set point. If CRUMBCOUNT is not greater than the set point, crumb tray 116 does not need to be cleaned, and the crumb tray alert light is illuminated green (step 606). Otherwise, if CRUMBCOUNT is greater than the set point, crumb tray 116 needs to be cleaned, and the crumb tray alert light is illuminated red (step 608). Toaster 100 also may become disabled if the CRUMBCOUNT exceeds the set point. The user may clear the red crumb tray alert by manually pressing crumb tray button 112. Other embodiments may automatically clear the crumb tray indicator 114 when crumb tray 116 is removed by a simple mechanical linkage to a push button, which is activated when crumb tray 116 is removed.

[0056]FIG. 7 depicts the steps performed by toaster 100 when it checks the crumb tray sensor button in step 516. Initially, the toaster determines whether crumb tray button 112 was reset (step 700). If crumb tray button 112 was not reset, the crumb tray light is not changed (step 702). Otherwise, if crumb tray button 112 was reset, the crumb tray light is illuminated green (step 706). Also, CRUMBCOUNT (i.e., the EEPROM unit's nonvolatile memory) is reset to zero (step 708). Subsequent uses of the toaster will increment this number until it again exceeds the set point.

[0057]FIG. 8 depicts the steps performed by toaster 100 when it calculates the total toasting time and the full/half power time in step 518. The total toasting time is determined from both the color control potentiometer reading and the coil voltage. In particular, the toasting time is directly related to the potentiometer reading, and inversely related to the electromagnetic coil voltage. Although various formulae might be used, in this example, the toast time=(POTREADING/6+7)*(203−COILVOLTAGE) (step 800). Thus, in this example, toasting times may vary from 44 seconds (light toast) to 131 seconds (dark toast) for a toaster starting cold in fast mode. The toaster then determines whether fast toast button 108 was activated (step 802). If fast toast button 108 was activated, the time during which toaster 100 is in the high-powered mode is calculated. For example, the fast toast time, “FASTTIME,” could be set to ⅔ the total toast time. Thus, FASTTIME=⅔*TOASTIME (step 804). In the example code, TOASTTIME may vary between 1200 and 3900, which indicates the number of {fraction (1/30)}th second interrupts that will be counted before the toaster turns off.

[0058] Otherwise, if fast toast button 108 were not activated, a “regular” toast mode can be implemented. In the example shown, the toast time is doubled (step 806). Then, the full power/half power switch is set to 10% of the total time (step 808). This approximates the toast time that would be found in a standard toaster. Since half power is 750 watts, and a standard toaster is 850 watts, the 10% time at full power (1500 watts) compensates with approximately equal watt-seconds to a standard toaster. The user may choose a regular toast mode by not activating fast toast button 108. “Regular” toast times will vary between 88 and 262 seconds. As discussed above, if fast toast button 108 is not activated, toaster 100 may alternatively function as a conventional toaster, heating the bread using a single, low power.

[0059] Due to the increased heat of toaster 100, these times will be reduced by about 40% in a fully heated toaster after the third or fourth toasting cycle.

[0060] To illustrate the efficiency of toaster 100, as discussed above, a conventional toaster operating at 850 watts toasts a slice of bread to a medium color in approximately 120 seconds. Thus, the conventional toaster requires 102,000 watt-seconds. Using 1500 watts (high-powered mode) for 54.4 seconds (81,600 watt-seconds), then switching to 750 watts (low-powered mode) for 27.2 seconds (20,400 watt-seconds), toaster 100 can obtain the same resulting toast color (81,600+20,400=102,000 watt-seconds) in a total time of 81.6 seconds, or 32% faster than the conventional toaster.

[0061] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toaster, comprising: a heating element having a plurality of power levels; and a controller between the plurality of power levels, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the power level of the heating element during a toasting cycle.
 2. The toaster of claim 1, further comprising a timer, wherein the timer determines when the controller selects among the plurality of power levels.
 3. The toaster of claim 1, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the power level of the heating element from a first of the plurality of power levels to a second of the plurality of power levels, wherein the first power level is greater than the second power level.
 4. The toaster of claim 1, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the power level of the heating element from a first of the plurality of power levels to a second of the plurality of power levels, wherein the first power level is less than the second power level.
 5. The toaster of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a diode.
 6. The toaster of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a thyristor.
 7. The toaster of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a triac.
 8. A toaster, comprising: a plurality of heating elements, each heating element having a unique power level; and a controller between the plurality of heating elements, wherein the controller automatically switches between heating elements during a toasting cycle.
 9. The toaster of claim 8, further comprising a timer, wherein the timer determines when the controller switches between the plurality of heating elements.
 10. The toaster of claim 8, wherein the controller automatically switches from a first heating element to a second heating element during the toasting cycle, and wherein the power level of the first heating element is greater than the power level of the second heating element.
 11. The toaster of claim 8, wherein the controller automatically switches from a first heating element to a second heating element during the toasting cycle, and wherein the power level of the first heating element is less than the power level of the second heating element.
 12. A method in a toaster, comprising the steps of: receiving an indication of a toasting cycle period; dividing the toasting cycle period into a plurality of time periods; heating a food item at a first power level during a first of the plurality of time periods; and heating the food item at a second power level during a second of the plurality of time periods.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first power level is greater than the second power level.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first power level is less than the second power level.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein a ratio between the first power level and the second power level is adjustable.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein a ratio between the first time period and the second time period is adjustable.
 17. A method in a toaster, comprising the steps of: receiving an indication of a desired toasting level; determining a toasting cycle period from the indication; and toasting a food item at a plurality of power levels during the toasting cycle period.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the power levels are continuously changing during the toasting cycle period.
 19. A method in a toaster, comprising the steps of: receiving an indication of a toasting cycle period; and heating a food item at a plurality of power levels during the toasting cycle period.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the power levels are continuously changing during the toasting cycle period.
 21. A toaster, comprising: a heating element having a high power and a low power; a switch that toggles between the high power and the low power; and a timer coupled to the switch.
 22. The toaster of claim 21, wherein the switch toggles from the high power to the low power when the timer reaches a value.
 23. The toaster of claim 22, further comprising a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller calculates the value.
 24. The toaster of claim 21, wherein the switch toggles from the low power to the high power when the timer reaches a value.
 25. The toaster of claim 24, further comprising a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller calculates the value.
 26. The toaster of claim 21, further comprising means for adjusting a ratio between the high power and the low power.
 27. The toaster of claim 26, further comprising a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller calculates the ratio.
 28. A toaster, comprising: a heating element having a plurality of power levels; means for adjusting the power level of the heating element; and a timer coupled to the adjusting means. 